New Delhi, Oct 14: Maharashtra PCC president Ranjeet Deshmukh, who was summoned by the party high command in the wake of his reported ultimatum to NCP chief Sharad Pawar on the Sonia Gandhi issue, is still awaiting an appointment with the Congress president. Deshmukh, who on arrival here yesterday had denied issuing any utlimatum to Pawar, has so far met several senior Congress leaders including Arjun Singh, Ahmed Patel, K Natwar Singh and Vayalar Ravi, who is in charge of party affairs in Maharashtra, party sources said.

Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde is arriving here tomorrow and is expected to meet senior party leaders.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra industries minister Patangrao Kadam had a meeting with Sonia today.
Asked about the meeting, Kadam merely said that it was in connection with Sonia’s tour of the state later this week.

Bureau Report